Different Heat Zones of the Earth

“The Earth is divided into three main heat zones based on the amount of sunlight received at different latitudes.”

What are Heat Zones?

Heat zones are regions of the Earth categorized according to the angle of the sun's rays and the amount of heat received. The division is based on latitude.

Types of Heat Zones

Torrid Zone (Tropical Zone):
- Located between Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S)
- Receives direct sunlight throughout the year
- Hottest zone
Temperate Zones:
- Between Tropic of Cancer and Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere
- Between Tropic of Capricorn and Antarctic Circle in the Southern Hemisphere
- Receives moderate sunlight
Frigid Zones (Polar Zones):
- From Arctic Circle (66.5° N) to North Pole (90° N)
- From Antarctic Circle (66.5° S) to South Pole (90° S)
- Receives slanting rays of the sun
- Coldest zones

Flow Diagram: Heat Zones of the Earth

Heat Zones Based on Latitude

Torrid Zone

23.5° N to 23.5° S

Temperate Zones

23.5° to 66.5° (N & S)

Frigid Zones

66.5° to 90° (N & S)

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

SSC CGL 2020: The Torrid Zone lies between which latitudes?
23.5° N and 23.5° S
RRB NTPC 2019: Which zone receives the maximum heat?
Torrid Zone
SSC CHSL 2021: Which zone lies between Arctic Circle and Tropic of Cancer?
North Temperate Zone
SSC GD 2018: Frigid zones receive what type of sunlight?
Slanting rays
HSSC 2020: The coldest region on Earth lies in which zone?
Frigid Zone
RRB Group D 2018: Which zone is also known as the Tropical Zone?
Torrid Zone
SSC MTS 2021: The Temperate zone lies between?
Tropic and Arctic/Antarctic Circles
SSC CGL 2019: Which zone gets least sunlight?
Frigid Zone
HSSC CET 2022: Torrid zone is also called?
Equatorial Zone
SSC JE 2020: Which zone has all types of climate?
Temperate Zone